The already suspended, and $72 million Knicks’ center, Joakim Noah is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder.   The rotator cuff is a grouping of tendons that surround the top of the humerus.  These tendons attach the four muscles of the rotator cuff that originate on the shoulder blade and help to rotate and elevate the arm.  Over time, the tendons of the rotator cuff can become damaged due to small micro tears or trauma.   The weakening and degeneration of this tendon can lead to pain and weakness of the shoulder.

Noah has played since February after undergoing surgery to remove loose body in his knee and then was then suspended immediately after for 20 games for testing positive for a banned substance.  A loose body is usually a piece of cartilage that has broken off in the knee joint and can cause pain as it moves around in the knee like a rock in one’s shoe.  His rehab for his shoulder is expected to be 4-6 months following surgery which will allow him to train in the offseason but he will have to serve part of his suspension during the first 12 games of the 2017-2018 regular season.

During his 46 games this season he performed well under fans and management’s expectations and averaged only five points and 8.8 rebounds per game.  Noah still has $54 million on his contract over the next three seasons but his rapid deterioration and lack of contribution is making his giant contract look like a mistake.

He is also no stranger to surgery and has undergone multiple procedures during his career, including a repair of a ligament in his thumb in 2011 and surgery on his left shoulder in January 2016.